Child safety restraint system for swing sets

ABSTRACT

A safety system for restraining a child in a conventional swing set comprising a belt for secure placement around the upper torso of a child, with safety snap hooks attached to the belt for securely engaging the vertical support elements of the swing set. The safety snap hooks are attached to the belt by means of D-rings through which the belt passes. The D-rings are fixed at such a location as to position the safety snap hooks adjacent to the vertical support members of the swing set. Further, such D-rings are fixed at such a spacing as to prevent fastening the belt at a diameter smaller than a child&#39;s head to prevent entrapment about the neck or head. The safety snap hooks are connected to the D-rings by one or more chain or S-links, or short flexible elements. The safety snap hooks are of the type that have a self-positioning member at the hook opening that will not allow the hook to become disengaged from the vertical support elements of the swing set unless intentionally activated manually. The safety snap hooks are constructed in shape and size so they can be hooked into chain links of the vertical support elements of the swing set or fastened over the outside of chain links so as not to be movable to an adjacent chain link unless intentionally manually disengaged. The ability to be fastened over the outside of a chain link allows the safety snap hook to accommodate chain with plastic sheathing or other coverings. The safety hooks will also work on swing sets with vertical support members of rope or other flexible material by tying a knot at the appropriate location and attaching the safety hook just above the knot.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] This invention relates to an improved safety restraint system for restraining a child of about three years of age and above in a conventional play ground type swing set.

[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0004] The prior art relates to restraint systems that consists either of restraining systems built integral to the play ground swing set and are not portable between swings or adjustable for height, or that are of a harness type constructions. The prior art of harness type construction is primarily intended for infants and very small children below the age of about three years and are not adaptable or suitable for older children.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] A child restraint system for restraining a child in a conventional playground type swing set is disclosed. The restraint system of the present invention comprises a belt for fastening around the upper torso of a child with the belt attaching to the vertical support elements of the swing set through linkage and appropriately shaped safety snap hooks. The system is portable from swing set to swing set and is attachable at various positions along the vertical support elements of the swing set but remain fixed at the attached positions until manually removed and reattached at other locations. The disclosed system is portable from swing set to swing set and has the advantage over prior art restraint systems which form an integral part of the swing set and are not portable. Prior art systems incorporate a system of seats and harnesses that are often found objectionable by the wearer. The present invention is usable at various height settings, has fewer parts and is simple to understand and use compared to the prior art devices and is more economical to produce and maintain.

[0006] This specification defines and claims the subject matter of the invention. The drawings along with the description of the preferred embodiment will serve to assist in the understanding and operations of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the restraint system with a conventional buckle type belt attached to a conventional play ground type swing set.

[0008]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the restraint system with a interconnecting buckle type belt attached to a conventional play ground type swing set.

[0009]FIG. 3a is a perspective view of the safety snap hook in the closed position.

[0010]FIG. 3b is a perspective view of the safety snap hook in the open position.

[0011]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the safety snap hook engaged through a chain link of the vertical support element of the swing set.

[0012]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the safety snap hook engaged around a chain link of the vertical support element of the swing set.

[0013]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the safety snap hook engaged above a knot tied in a vertical support element of the swing set, where the vertical support element is made of rope or other flexible material.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0014] In FIG. 1 a conventional type belt 1, containing on one end buckle 2 and multiple holes 3 spaced back from the opposite end, passes through D-rings 4 with D-rings 4 being fixed at points on the belt so as to place them adjacent to vertical support elements 5 of the swing set. The spacing of D-rings 4 are fixed sufficiently apart so the belt cannot be fastened to form a loop of diameter smaller that the human head. Chain link(s) 6 connect from D-rings 4 to safety snap hook 7. By fastening the safety restraint system, comprised of items 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, and 7, around the upper torso of a child and then attaching the safety snap hooks 7 to the vertical support elements 5 of the swing set, the child is restrained in the event he or she releases from holding the vertical support elements 5 of the swing set by hand. Therefore, even in the event the child becomes separated from the essentially horizontal support element 8 of the swing set, a fall from the swing set is avoided. The child remains suspended in the safety restraint system and serious injury is averted, with any injury sustained being primarily limited to scrapes as the feet and legs may contact and drag along the ground. This would likewise be the case if one of the vertical support elements 5 were to fail, with the child being retained suspended from the remaining vertical support element and thus avoiding a full contact impact with the surface below the swing set.

[0015] In FIG. 2 the system is essentially the same in construction and operation as described for FIG. 1 with the exceptions of the means of fastening the ends of belt 1 together. In FIG. 2 interlocking buckle elements 9 and 10 are attached to opposite ends of the belt and when brought together around the upper torso of a child mate together in such a fashion as to be detachable from each other only by intentional manual activation. In FIG. 2, buckle element 10 is shown as being adjustable along the length of that end of belt 1 to accommodate children of various body sizes.

[0016]FIG. 3A shows a close-up view of safety snap hook 7 in the closed position. In FIG. 4, safety snap hook 7 is shown of such a size and shape in length and width to allow it not only to be clipped into a link of chain, but also as shown in FIG. 5, to allow it to be slid over a link of chain with a fit sufficiently close to prevent safety snap hook 7 from moving along the chain to adjoining links. Such a fit is facilitated even in the event the chain links of vertical support element 5 are covered with a coating or sheath of plastic or other material.

[0017]FIG. 3B shows a close-up view of safety snap hook 7 in the open position. Spring latch 11 will be pressed open as safety snap hook 7 is connected into, or slid onto, vertical support member 5, as shown in FIGS. 4, 5, and 6. Once on vertical support element 5, spring latch 11 will return to the closed position. Once closed safety snap hook 7 cannot be removed from vertical support element 5 unless spring latch 11 is intentionally depressed manually.

[0018] While the preferred embodiment has been described, it is understandable that variations are possible which do not depart from the scope of the invention as found in the following claims and their equivalents. 

We claim:
 1. A safety system for restraining a child in a conventional swing set comprising: a belt for encircling the upper torso of a child with the two ends of said belt being connectable together to form a closed loop around the child's upper body, means affixed to said belt for attaching said belt to the vertical support elements of said swing set, said attaching means being self-locking to the vertical support elements but having the capability of being intentionally manually disengaged from the said vertical support elements.
 2. A safety system as defined in claim 1 wherein the two ends of said belt being connectable together is by means of a conventional buckle on a first end of said belt and by holes spaced back from the distal end of said belt for engaging said buckle at multiple locations for fitting around children of various body sizes.
 3. A safety system as defined in claim 1 wherein the two ends of said belt being connectable together is by means of connecting members on each end of said belt which are securely attachable together and releasable only when intentionally released manually, with at least one of said connecting members being adjustable along said belt for fitting around children of various body sizes.
 4. A safety system as defined in claim 1 wherein the attachment means affixed to said belt for attaching said belt to said vertical support elements of said swing set are safety snap hooks affixed to said belt by short flexible linkages, said safety snap hooks being of such shape as to be attachable onto said vertical support elements of said swing set by passing either though a link of chain in the said vertical support elements or closely around said link of chain, or in the alternative when said vertical support elements are of rope of other flexible material above a knot tied in said rope or other flexible material; said safety snap hooks being of the type having a self-positioning retainer that prevents said safety snap hooks from becoming separated from said vertical support elements unless intentionally actuated manually.
 5. A safety system as defined in claim 4 wherein said short flexible linkages for affixing said safety hooks to said belt consist of D-rings though which said belt passes but with said D-rings fixed at the proper locations on said belt to position said D-rings at the proper locations adjacent to said vertical support members of said swing set, said safety hooks being attached to said D-rings by one or more links of chain, S-links, or in the alternative by short lengths of flexible material.
 6. A method of safely securing a child in a conventional swing set comprising the steps of: attaching the belt of the safety restraint system to the upper torso of the child below the arms, attaching said belt of the safety restraint system to the vertical support elements of said swing set by either hooking safety snap hooks into chain links of said vertical support elements, over chain links of said vertical support elements, or above knots tied in said vertical support elements should said vertical support elements be of rope or other flexible material so as to position the child in a setting position on the essentially horizontal element of said swing set, or alternatively, position the child in a standing position with child's feet positioned on said essentially horizontal element of said swing set.
 7. A method of safely securing a child in a conventional swing set comprising the steps of: attaching the belt of the safety restraint system to the vertical support elements of said swing set by either hooking safety snap hooks into chain links of said vertical support elements, over chain links of said vertical support element, or above a knots tied in said vertical support elements should said vertical support elements be of rope or other flexible material so as to position the child in a setting position on the essentially horizontal member of said swing set, or alternatively, position the child in a standing position with child's feet positioned on said essentially horizontal element of said swing set, attaching said belt of safety restraint system to the upper torso of the child below the arms. 